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| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 89.6 pts. and median of 90 pts. in 10 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by Oenecnist on 3/16/2019: Ordered a mixed case after a visit to the winery when it was just emerging--around 2000, I think. I think D2 was about 25-30/b, and I ordered 6b. Decanted with normal sediment for its age. Dark ruby; fragrant red fruit nose with subdued oak; mature redcurrant, some oak, round, very good mouthfeel; med finish. Delicious--better than some younger bottles that may have had storage issues. Stored horizontally in a cool, dark basement since purchase. My evaluation: I've stopped giving scores on a "100-point scale" as I've become less convinced that they can be meaningful to others. I use a 4-category scale (perhaps with +/-)--not including flawed--which runs outstanding/notable/drinkable/poor. I considered this outstanding- when considering quality, age, and price. (989 views) | | | Tasted by Gary on 12/17/2015 & rated 91 points: Drinking beautifully - very much alive, will continue to age. (2760 views) | | | Tasted by devman on 12/23/2011: still some life in this one. Great balance and plenty of fruit left. (4398 views) | | | Tasted by nospeel on 11/15/2011 & rated 88 points: Past its prime. First bottle I had was flawed - yuck. Second, rather lovely. Deep casis/tobacco nose. Anise and dark fruit on palate. Fine finish. Tannins are receded (still peeking around). Do drink up. (4351 views) | | | Tasted by Mark in Seattle on 10/18/2008 & rated 90 points: Goes down smoothly. Needs to be drunk fasirly soon. (4299 views) | | | Tasted by six sandy feet on 10/18/2008 & rated 88 points: Very smooth, sikly finish with blackberries forward. Drinking very nicely now, but agree with prior note that it is probably at its peak. (5108 views) | | | Tasted by Magnolian on 8/20/2007 & rated 92 points: I have every vintage of D2 since 1994 and this was the best. I thought this would be further down the road to maturity but found it surprisingly youthful. Purple center turning to dark cherry at the rim, just a slight amount of bricking. Nose was initially indistinct but showed more fruit after 10-15 minutes. Palate started tart, but after a few minutes that blew off, showing abundant dark fruits and a hint of herbs. Lots of flavor here, but the best part was the silky texture and super-smooth body. Just a hint of tannins remain. Very much enjoyed with grilled pork tenderloin. My guess is this probably peaking, but should hold at this level for at least 3 years. (3327 views) | | | Tasted by Mark on 3/3/2006 & rated 90 points: Tasting note from memory. This D2 is impressive, perhaps the best recent example behind the 2001. Thirty minutes to open up and was drinking well for two hours. Rich notes of chocolate and dark red fruit, some floral elements. It’s very well structured. This wine just seemed balanced across the board from start to finish. I think it’s at it’s peak and would not expect it to continue to improve. (2898 views) | | | Tasted by Easter Everywhere on 12/1/2004 & rated 87 points: Med ruby, slightly muddy, aromas of spices, currant, plum, pepper, herbs, expresse, charred wood, black cherry, b3, a3+, t3+, nice flavor but turns a bit hot/sharp on finish w/rustic tannins, else nice, d2, similar, not bad but a bit simple, rustic (5.5) (481 views) | | | Tasted by Eric on 11/2/2003 & rated 91 points: DeLille Cellars 7th annual Paulee de Woodinville (Woodinville, WA, USA): Poured for me by David Gelles. He and wife Patricia own Klipsun vineyard. If I remember his story correctly, in 1998 DeLille didn't use much (any?) Klipsun fruit in the Chaleur Estate flagship blend, instead opting to use the fruit in the D2 which is (sort of) a second wine. Anyway, David intentionally tries to get the DeLille folks to drink this one to remind them of their mistake... I have to agree with him, as this was lovely. A hint of violet with licorice and briar. OMG, this has huge structure, unmistakeable Klipsun. That said, there is a lot of fruit there to balance this guy out. Very nice! (5659 views) |
| DeLille Cellars Producer website
DRINK NOW OR DRINK LATER?
by Chris Upchurch, Executive Winemaker/Vineyard Manager, Owner/Partner
By far, most questions asked of me always have something to do with the age ability of our wines. We offer the vintage chart below for this very reason, for all the red wines we have ever released. Please note that all of our wines are classically structured and designed to age well. I believe they will all see their tenth birthday and beyond in good health, and I include the white wines as well. Our white wines are not included in the chart because they are at "Drink" status at release. Aging does not make them more drinkable, yet there are interesting characteristics that can only develop in time, especially in the Chaleur Estate Blanc.
Red Bordeaux BlendRed Bordeaux is generally made from a blend of grapes. Permitted grapes are Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec and rarely Carménère.Today Carménère is rarely used, with Château Clerc Milon, a fifth growth Bordeaux, being one of the few to still retain Carménère vines. As of July 2019, Bordeaux wineries authorized the use of four new red grapes to combat temperature increases in Bordeaux. These newly approved grapes are Marselan, Touriga Nacional, Castets, and Arinarnoa.
Wineries all over the world aspire to making wines in a Bordeaux style. In 1988, a group of American vintners formed The Meritage Association to identify wines made in this way. Although most Meritage wines come from California, there are members of the Meritage Association in 18 states and five other countries, including Argentina, Australia, Canada, Israel, and Mexico.USAAmerican wine has been produced since the 1500s, with the first widespread production beginning in New Mexico in 1628. Today, wine production is undertaken in all fifty states, with California producing 84% of all U.S. wine. The continent of North America is home to several native species of grape, including Vitis labrusca, Vitis riparia, Vitis rotundifolia, and Vitis vulpina, but the wine-making industry is based almost entirely on the cultivation of the European Vitis vinifera, which was introduced by European settlers. With more than 1,100,000 acres (4,500 km2) under vine, the United States is the fourth-largest wine producing country in the world, after Italy, Spain, and France.Washington Washington Wine Commission | Credit to Washingtonwine.org for this article
Washington Wine
Washington State is a premium wine producing region located in the northwest corner of the United States. Although a relatively young wine industry, it is now the nation's second largest wine producer and is ranked among the world's top wine regions. Washington wines are found nationally in all 50 states and internationally in more than 40 countries.
Wineries
With 30,000+ acres planted, the state has ideal geography and conditions for growing premium vinifera wine grapes. Primarily grown on their own root stocks, the vines produce grapes of consistent quality, resulting in strong vintages year after year. While its focus is on Chardonnay, Riesling, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, the region also produces a wide range of other spectacular whites and reds.
Growers
Winemakers from all over the world have chosen to establish themselves in Washington, where they can create wines reflecting this region's unique characteristics. Their hand-crafted wines are receiving wide acclaim from critics regionally, nationally and internationally for their consistently high quality. Many of them have received scores of 90 and above from the major wine media. Overall this is a higher percentage than other leading wine regions.
Regions
As the state's fourth largest fruit crop, the Washington wine industry is an important contributor to the long-term preservation of Washington agriculture. The industry is committed to sustainable agricultural practices and conservation of water resources.
Washington State is a premium wine producing region located in the northwest corner of the United States. Although a relatively young wine industry, it is now the nation's second largest wine producer and is ranked among the world's top wine regions. Washington wines are found nationally in all 50 states and internationally in more than 40 countries.
Varieties
Washington produces more than 20 wine grape varieties - a ratio of 56 percent white to 44 percent red. As the industry matures and experiments, it finds many grape varieties that thrive throughout Washington's microclimates. There are more than 16,000 vineyard acres of red wine varieties statewide.
History & Vintages
Washington's wine future is limitless. As consumers discover the quality of Washington wines, demand continues to grow nationally and internationally. New acreage and wine varietals are being planted and new wineries are opening at a remarkable pace. Washington State is recognized as a premium viticultural region around the world.
State Facts
Washington's wine industry generates more than $3 billion to the state economy. It employs more than 14,000 people, directly and indirectly, with projections to add nearly 2,000 more jobs by 2006. In terms of tax revenues accrued to the state and federal government, wine grapes are among the highest tax generators of any agricultural crops. Furthermore, Washington wine tourism attracts nearly two million visitors annually contributing to the positive growth of local and regional economies.
Washington State - the perfect climate for wine = ideal growing conditions, quality wines, business innovation, lifestyle, and social responsibility. All are key elements of this world-class wine industry.
Vintages
"2008 and even more so 2010 and 2011 were cool, even cold vintages (think: 2002 in the Barossa) without the extreme ripeness, extract and higher alcohol that had become the norm in the state’s post 1995 world. 2008 was manageable but the duo of 2010/2011 nearly caused a “great depression” in Washington State." - Jon RimmermanColumbia Valley Columbia Cascade Winery Association
The Columbia Valley AVA lies mostly in Washington state, with a small section in Oregon. The Cascade Range forms its western boundary with the Palouse regions bordering the area to the east. To the north, the Okanogan National Forest forms a border with the AVA and Canada. It encompasses the valleys formed by the Columbia River and its tributaries, including the Walla Walla River, the Snake River, and the Yakima River. The Columbia valley stretches between the 46th parallel and 47th parallel which puts it in line with the well known French wine growing regions of Bordeaux and Burgundy. The northern latitude gives the areas two more hours of additional daylight during the summer growing season than wine regions of California receive. The volcanic and sandy loam soil of the valley offers good drainage and is poor in nutrients, ideal in forcing the vine to concentrate its resources into the grape clusters.Columbia Valley Columbia Valley Winery Association |
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